Dalton's late TD pass to Green lifts Bengals over Falcons

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) celebrates his game-winning catch against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Atlanta. The Cincinnati Bengals won 37-36. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) walks off the field after the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Atlanta. The Cincinnati Bengals won 37-36. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Atlanta Falcons defensive back Keith Tandy (35) celebrates a fumble recovery against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones gets a pat on the back from Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick coming up short of the end zone on the final play of the game in a 37-36 loss to the Bengals in a NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 30, 2018, in Atlanta. (Curtis ComptonAtlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis speaks to players during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) runs into he end zone for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert (85) is taken off the field after being injured against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Medical staff call for a vehicle to take Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert (85) off the field after an injury against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against Cincinnati Bengals cornerback William Jackson (22) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith (25) signifies a first down against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Atlanta Falcons tight end Logan Paulsen (82) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert (85) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Damontae Kazee (27) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan paces the sidelines as the Cincinnati Bengals go on a game winning drive in the final minutes of a NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 30, 2018, in Atlanta. The Bengals beat the Falcons 37-36. (Curtis ComptonAtlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Cincinnati Bengals' Hardy Nickerson (56) and Jordan Evans (50) celebrate after the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Atlanta. The Cincinnati Bengals won 37-36. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) is tripped up by Atlanta Falcons cornerback Brian Poole (34) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Atlanta. The Cincinnati Bengals won 37-36. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Kirkpatrick said the Bengals are "fighting for each other, standing up for each other, believing in each other. In previous years, we haven't had that."

Matt Ryan continued his resurgence by throwing three scoring passes, including two to rookie Calvin Ridley, for the Falcons.

As was the case last week, when he had his first career game with five touchdown passes in a 43-37 overtime loss to New Orleans, Ryan had too little support from a defense missing three injured starters, despite three sacks from Takk McKinley .

The Falcons (1-3) topped 30 points for the third straight week. Ryan, the 2016 NFL MVP, has thrown eight touchdown passes in his past two weeks and has 10 through four games after throwing only 20 in 2017.

Falcons coach Dan Quinn said his team lacks the instinct needed "to close the door" with a lead. "We're going to develop that instinct," he said. "We do not have it as we need it right now."

The Bengals, protecting at least a share of the AFC North lead, have enjoyed a strong start despite playing three of their first four games on the road. They play six of their next eight at home.

Atlanta's Matt Bryant, who kicked three field goals, including a 55-yard field goal in the second quarter, was good from 32 yards to give the Falcons a 36-31 lead with 4:15 remaining.

That was too much time for Dalton, who completed 29 of 41 passes for 336 yards and three touchdowns and one interception.

Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert had four catches for 38 yards, including a 15-yard scoring catch in the first quarter, before suffering a gruesome lower right leg injury early in the third quarter.

Eifert, the team's third-leading receiver entering the game, caught a 2-yard pass and was tackled by De'Vondre Campbell and Jack Crawford. Eifert brought his hands up to his helmet as he was on his back in obvious pain. His leg stabilized by the medical staff, Eifert received encouragement from teammates before he was carted off the field.

INJURY REPORT

Bengals halfback Mark Walton did not return and was being treated for a possible concussion after a helmet-to-helmet penalty hit by Brian Poole near the end of the third. Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett had an ankle injury late in the fourth and did not return.

RISING STAR

Kirkpatrick talked during the week about winning bragging rights with fellow former Alabama star Julio Jones, who had nine catches for 173 yards. Kirkpatrick was impressed with Ridley, another former Alabama player who had four catches for 54 yards. Ridley had scoring catches of 11 and 30 yards, giving him five in his past two games and six for the season.

"That Ridley kid, the boy is about to take the NFL by storm," Kirkpatrick said. "That boy if not this year, if not next year, he's definitely going to be top 10 in the league."

PRESIDENTIAL VISIT

Former President Jimmy Carter was given a No. 39 Falcons jersey, as the 39th U.S. president. In a pregame ceremony, Carter was presented a birthday cake by team owner Arthur Blank one day before Carter's 94th birthday.

Each team was without its top running back. Devonta Freeman missed his third straight game for Atlanta with a sore right knee. Mixon was held out for the second straight week for the Bengals after having debris removed from his right knee.

LONG TIME

The Bengals lead the series 9-5 following their first win in Atlanta since a 16-10 victory on Nov. 15, 1987, at old Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.

UP NEXT

Bengals: host Miami Dolphins next Sunday.

Falcons: Visit the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday in first road game since opening season at Philadelphia.